King of France (born 1553), the first of the Bourbon line, who ruled from 1589 to 1610. He came to power at a time of great unrest in France resulting from hostility between the Catholics and the Protestant Huguenots. In signing the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Henry (a Catholic convert) ensured the rights of Protestants and ushered in an era of peace and prosperity, earning the sobriquet Henry the Great. DS in Old French, signed “Henri,” one page on vellum, 12.5 x 7, April 4, 1596. An untranslated official document. In very good condition, with bisecting vertical fold, scattered soiling (heavier to edges), a few small areas of paper loss (not affecting text or signature), several pencil notations, and expected wrinkling. The wax seal is worn but intact. RRAuction COA.
